My birthday 2008 was the best ever! It was quite unlike last year’s “worst ever birthday.” I didn’t try to throw myself a big party. In fact I was singing at the “World’s Largest Block Party.” This outdoor street festival charges thirty five bucks a person and tens of thousands attend!! The organizers promote this party as one of the biggest summer single’s events in Chicago. And you will notice the lack of couples there. My niece Whitney noticed that there weren’t a lot of couples – that’s cause they was all looking to “hook up!” It is sponsored by one of the big Catholic churches in downtown Chicago and they provide two stages – one with a national touring act & the other features little ole me.
The day had the makings of a disaster: predicted 95 degree temperatures and five hours of playing time. Y’all know how I hates ta sing in da heat!! I kept saying to myself: “What was I thinking to book this gig on my birthday?” PLUS I had bullied my brother, sister in law and dear cousin Sandra into spending Friday (the big day) with me on their way to my crazy assed cousin’s going away party in Wisconsin on Saturday. That meant I had to make my house company ready. I don’t know if y’all know this but my house is a big mess – often. It is a cross between a cool museum and a ransacked warehouse.
I had plenty of time to clean… at least three weeks notice – BUT, I totally waited until the day before to clean!!! I don’t usually do that kind of shit – not when there is such a big project to do – and cleaning my house is a big project! I live in a 1700 square foot Victorian chock full of wood surfaces in dire need of dusting PLUS dolls, objet d’art, framed photographs, paintings, shoes, movies…It’s crazy! But I got it done – kinda… Luckily, my brother & sister in law live a bit like I do and my cousin Sandra had to clean my parents house once (after my mom died) for company so.. Oh hell, they just family!!
Back to the Birthday! It was just great to have my family around me and my BFF’s Barb and Deb! Her Highness the Debbie took the el!!! Everyone was just so kind and I was surrounded by love!!
NOTE: My trifling assed band didn’t even give me a goddamned card!!! Grrr! That is – except for Brady – who gift wrapped and presented me with a gorgeous tall vase!! But that didn’t even bother me. I mean what am I – two years old?
I had a wedding the next day which turned out to be just perfect, and on Sunday I went to my dear old friend Cindy’s house for her Belated 50th birthday barbeque in Trevor, Wisconsin. What a schlep!! Her home sits right on the edge of a lake and so I figured: “North by the lake” = “cooler by the lake!” WRONG!!! And the mosquitoes were attacking me in infantry formations!! I sprayed myself silly with repellent but considering the places they bit me… like my ass… (and I can guarantee you all that I never once exposed my bare ass to the party) it didn’t matter! I was too hot to drink. But it was great fun and lovely company. I have known Cindy for twenty six years, so there were old friends to be seen.
And my birthday partying is still going … I think I will do a month long thing cause I never got my drink on… But I came away with a special reminder: There is nothing like the love of family, add the adoration & support of friends ( I got a bunch) AND fans and well… there is nothing better!!
